American Alliance for Equal Rights Sues University of Texas at Austin Over Race-Based "Black epiSTEMologies" Program

Black epiSTEMologies is a multi-institutional collaborative research project, "that aims to "promot[e] racial equity for All Black people by advancing research that disrupts anti-Black norms, values, beliefs, and practices in STEM."

AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Alliance for Equal Rights filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the University of Texas at Austin and several of its officials, challenging a racially exclusive research project funded by the National Science Foundation. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that UT Austin's "Black epiSTEMologies" program violates the Fourteenth Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and 42 U.S.C. §1981.

The complaint is attached.

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The factual basis of the lawsuit is UT Austin's exclusion of non-black students from participating in a federally funded research project designed to "foster racial equity in STEM for all Black people." The project pays eligible students a $40 gift card to complete a survey and participate in a focus group—but only if they identify as black or biracial with at least one black parent. Students of all other racial backgrounds are categorically excluded.

The Alliance is bringing the lawsuit on behalf of a member—identified in the complaint as Member A—who is a white, full-time undergraduate STEM student at a Texas university. Although he meets every race-neutral criterion for participation, he was barred from continuing the survey once he disclosed his race. According to the complaint, Member A would have used the gift card to buy engineering supplies and remains eager to contribute his perspective.

The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to end the race-based restrictions and reopen participation to all eligible students regardless of race. It also asks the court to require UT Austin to undo the effects of its discriminatory practices and pay nominal damages.

The "Black epiSTEMologies" project is part of a broader $8.8 million NSF grant spanning multiple institutions, but UT Austin's version is administered by faculty members and overseen by top university officials, including the President, Chancellor, and Board of Regents.

Edward Blum, president of AAER said, "This is one of the most shockingly discriminatory programs this organization has ever encountered. UT Austin is openly violating the Constitution and federal civil rights laws by paying students for their time and insights—but only if they are a specific race."

Blum added, "Federal dollars should never be used to segregate students or promote exclusionary racial practices. UT Austin's conduct is an affront to equal protection and basic decency. It is frustrating and puzzling why UT's administration and the Board of Regents did not end this blatantly discriminatory program long ago."

American Alliance for Equal Rights
3571 Far West Blvd. #17
Austin, Texas 78731
AmericanAllianceForEqualRights.org
703-505-1922
[email protected]

Contact:
Edward Blum
703-505-1922

SOURCE American Alliance for Equal Rights